Organisers of the 2010 Commonwealth Games have been roundly criticised for delays and a lack of co-ordination.

Their views came as competition to test the sports facilities were unveiled in the run-up to the games scheduled between October 3 and 14, next year.

Sitaram Yechury, chairman of a parliamentary panel on transport, tourism and culture, said: "The 2010 Games are drawing near and so many projects are yet to be initiated, let alone being completed."

He also criticised the "casual" approach to building infrastructure to support the Games which will be the biggest sports event held in the country since the Asian Games in 1982.

But the Chairman of the 2010 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, Suresh Kalmadi, was confident that construction would be completed on time.

"Let there be no doubt, the Commonwealth Games is happening on time. We will provide world-class infrastructure," he said during the launch of a Business Club of India website for the Games.

Mr M S Gill, the Union Sports Minister, confirmed that work was running late, but stressed it would pose no problem in conducting the Games.

"Construction of some stadia started late. Cycling is one of them and shooting is also held up, but we are monitoring the progress every month at the Co-ordination Committee meeting. Every effort is being made so that these will be completed in time," he said.

"It's like organising an Indian marriage. This is India and we do it like this."

The Commonwealth Games are held every four years among 71 nations and territories that earlier comprised the British Empire. The next Games are scheduled for 2014 in Glasgow.